FADE IN

Fade-in on an overhead shot of Jerusalem, smoke still rising from the burnt-out granary.

DISSOLVE TO

Xena and Gabrielle in the main room of their living quarters, Xena in her leathers, Gabrielle in the Legacy-style outfit. Xena is pacing across the room while Gabrielle is standing at the window, looking out.

GABRIELLE (agitated):
     Cleansing fire... I can't believe this is what they meant. Taking the food away from their own people to make them more desperate?

XENA (bitterly):
     You're still shocked?

GABRIELLE:
     By what? How cruel people can be to their own kind?

XENA:
     By how people can justify any act of cruelty once they've convinced themselves truth is on their side.

Gabrielle turns around and looks at her, stricken.

GABRIELLE:
     And you still think you can work with Simon? After this?

XENA (harshly):
     I have to.

Wordlessly, Gabrielle shakes her head.

XENA:
     I have to work with the only choices I've got.

There's a discreet knock on the door. Xena and Gabrielle turn, startled.

GABRIELLE:
     Yes?

The door is pushed open and Naomi stands in the doorway. She looks troubled.

NAOMI:
     You have-- (she hesitates a moment) a visitor.

GABRIELLE:
     Who is it?

Naomi stands aside to reveal Josephus.

XENA (brusquely):
     Tell him we're not at home.

She walks out briskly, pushing right past Josephus. Naomi gives him an unfriendly look and walks away as well. Josephus remains standing in the doorway. Gabrielle turns to the window, looking away.

JOSEPHUS:
     What about you, Gabrielle? You'll hear me out, won't you?

GABRIELLE (softly):
     What do you want?

Josephus comes in and closes the door.

JOSEPHUS:
     I have an offer from Titus.

Gabrielle turns around.

GABRIELLE:
     To surrender the city? You know it's not ours to surrender--even if Xena and I wanted to. It's not going to happen.

JOSEPHUS:
     No, it's not about that. (off her curious look) The offer--is for you to leave the city unharmed.

GABRIELLE:
     You mean--

JOSEPHUS:
     Safe passage back to Greece. For you and Xena. I understand you have a child with you--a boy about ten years of age. You can take him as well. (he pauses as she takes in his words) Trust me, Gabrielle--you are not going to get a better offer.

Gabrielle looks at him defiantly.

GABRIELLE (quietly but with a steely edge in her voice):
     What makes you think we'd take it?

JOSEPHUS:
     This isn't your fight.

GABRIELLE:
     Then you obviously don't know me very well. When Xena and I give our word to help someone, it's our fight from then on.

JOSEPHUS:
     You can't help these people, Gabrielle. You can only die with them--a pointless death. (He strides up to her and stops, face to face with her, then continues, his voice harsh and almost brutal.) Do you want to sacrifice that boy for principle? (after a brief pause, he makes a slight gesture toward her belly) And the child you are carrying within you?

Shaken, Gabrielle crosses her hands protectively over her stomach and steps back; then she rallies herself, her eyes narrowing.

GABRIELLE:
     You mean, the way you sacrificed your men.

JOSEPHUS (unperturbed):
     I was prepared to die, Gabrielle. It was God who stayed my hand--because he had other plans for me.

GABRIELLE (rolls her eyes in disgust):
     I can't believe this...

JOSEPHUS:
     You of all people should understand. You're a bard. (Off her uncomprehending look.) We have to survive- because we must tell the stories.

GABRIELLE (incredulous):
     And that makes our lives more precious?

JOSEPHUS (impassioned):
     Yes! (off her headshake) Back in that crypt--I knew God wanted me to live--because I have to tell the true story of this war. I have to tell the true story of my people--to let the world know we're not just another barbarian tribe conquered by Rome.

GABRIELLE (sarcastic):
     God wanted all that. How convenient for you. (after a brief pause) I'm surprised you ventured to enter the city. Some poor ignorant soul might mistake you for a common traitor and cut your mission short. (She pauses) Do you think God is watching over you? (scornfully) Or is it more that--your new Roman friends are holding hostages whose lives are protecting yours?

Josephus swallows, his pride obviously stung.

JOSEPHUS:
     I came here to offer my help--to you. (adds, almost as an afterthought) And Xena.

GABRIELLE (looks at him curiously):
     Why?

JOSEPHUS:
     I told you. I'm a great admirer of yours. (He comes closer, looking at her meaningfully) You're a very remarkable woman, Gabrielle. (quietly) Far more than your friend.

There is a brief silence. Gabrielle looks down, then looks up at Josephus again and speaks, her voice firm.

GABRIELLE:
     The answer is no.

Josephus stares at her sullenly, then nods.

CUT TO

Xena sits on the porch of the house, mending her boot. Her motions are brusque and almost violent.

The door opens behind her and Josephus starts to come out of the house.

Zoom in on Josephus's face.

A whizzing sound is heard.

Pan to an arrow flying toward the camera.

Pan back to Josephus, who looks startled and terrified as the arrow is a mere inch away from his neck.

A familiar hand with a gauntleted wrist shoots into the frame, catching the arrow.

The camera pulls back to show Xena holding an arrow in each hand. She gives Josephus a grim look and throws the arrows down.

JOSEPHUS (recovering from the shock):
     I--guess I should say thanks.

XENA (grimly):
     You may be a rat, but you're still an ambassador. (after a pause, with a bit of a sneer) Besides, your pathetic life isn't worth those of the hostages the Romans would have killed.

JOSEPHUS (dryly):
     Very thoughtful of you.

XENA (narrows her eyes at him):
     So. What was your embassy this time? (sarcastic) Did Titus think he'd have a better chance negotiating with me because I'm not one of the Israelites--and maybe I'll hand him the keys to the city on a silver platter?

Josephus gives her a penetrating look.

JOSEPHUS:
     Titus was prepared to offer safe passage out of the city--for you and Gabrielle--and the boy.

XENA (quietly):
     I see. (after a brief pause) I assume Gabrielle turned you down. (Off his sullen look) Thought so.

They stand still for a moment, facing each other.

XENA (continues):
     Well, better move on before I have to catch any more arrows. You never know--one of these days, I just might miss one.

Josephus remains standing still, facing her.

XENA (continues, incredulous):
     Don't tell me you expect to get further with me than you did with Gabrielle.

JOSEPHUS (quietly):
      Perhaps.

XENA (brusquely):
     Then you're not half as smart as I thought you were.

JOSEPHUS:
     Really. (he comes closer to her) Well, I'm smart enough to know you've always protected Gabrielle--even against what you call--the Greater Good. (he pauses) I've read the scrolls, Xena. I know you wanted to save her when it was a choice between saving her and stopping the Persians.

Xena stares at him. His words have clearly gotten to her, though her face remains impassive.

XENA:
     Then you also know that she stopped me.

JOSEPHUS:
     Back there-- you could do something. Here--

XENA (interrupts, bitterly):
     Here, you think I should just give up--the way you did. Well, I don't do that. (she pauses) Besides, these people asked for my help. They'll lose hope if I leave. I'm not going to let that happen.

JOSEPHUS:
     Then let her leave without you. (He pauses, letting it sink in; then continues on a slightly sarcastic note) If you truly think there's something you can accomplish by staying here...having to worry about her, and that boy, is only holding you back. (Off Xena's glare) You can save her life--and still do what you think is your duty.

Xena gives him a long look, hostile but also somewhat thoughtful.

XENA:
     Suppose I said yes. How would I go about getting her out? Tie her up, load her in a cart and take her outside the gates?

JOSEPHUS:
     Where there's a will, there's a way. (he smirks a little) At least for you. Don't you think I know that?

They stare at each other in silence, until Josephus speaks again.

JOSEPHUS:
     Come on, Xena. You know I'm right.

After a long pause, Xena averts her eyes and speaks in a hushed voice.

XENA:
     I--have to think about it.

GABRIELLE (off-camera):
     No, you don't!

Simultaneously, a door opens with an exaggerated "Whoosh" sound.

Pan to Gabrielle standing in the doorway, looking very angry.

GABRIELLE (to Josephus, her voice full of contempt):
     Get out. Go back to your Roman masters. Tell them I'm not accepting any favors from them--or you.

Josephus looks at her, his face hardening. Then he turns around and walks away.

Gabrielle turns around, as brusquely as she can with her huge belly, and walks into the house. Xena goes after her.

CUT TO

The main room of the house. Gabrielle strides in, looking determined. Xena follows her.

XENA:
     Gabrielle--

GABRIELLE (whips around):
     So I'm a burden?

XENA (pained):
     You know that's not it.

GABRIELLE (vehemently):
     You were thinking of going behind my back to arrange for me to be taken out of the city. I can't believe it. (She pauses) Xena, I may be with child--but I'm not a child.

Xena comes up to Gabrielle and takes her hands, looking into her eyes. She is close to tears.

XENA:
     Gabrielle-- you know how worried I am about you and Darion and--

GABRIELLE (vehemently):
     And that makes me different than all the other people who are trapped here with their children? Who have no way out?

XENA:
     Your staying here and risking your life won't do them any good. (She sighs, then continues in a hushed voice) You know it's not about winning anymore--it's about surviving.

There's a momentary silence. Then, Gabrielle shakes her head.

GABRIELLE:
     No--it's also about being able to live with ourselves if we do survive.

Xena looks at her, choking up a little, and nods.

They embrace tenderly, then pull apart. Gabrielle wanders over to a bench by the window and sits down, looking pensive. Xena wanders over and sits down next to her, putting her hand around Gabrielle's shoulders.

GABRIELLE (in a near-whisper):
     Think we'll ever see Greece again?

XENA (likewise):
     I hope so.

She stares ahead, a thoughtful, wistful look on her face. Gabrielle glances at her, then takes her hand.

GABRIELLE:
     You miss him, huh...

Xena gives her a startled look, then wordlessly squeezes her hand.

GABRIELLE:
     You know, this is one time when I kind of wish he was still a god--and you could just call him and he'd pop in (she clicks her fingers) just like that.

XENA (chuckles):
     Yeah, I guess that'd be nice...

She stares silently into the distance, then hugs Gabrielle tighter and kisses the top of her head.

CROSS-FADE TO

Morning at the docks. Ares is facing a stocky man of Middle Eastern appearance and dress, with a weather-beaten face--the captain of a ship which is right behind them.

CAPTAIN:
     We sail at noon. A hundred dinars--take it or leave it. (he gestures toward Ares' jewels-laden sword) You've got money, by the looks of you.

Ares scowls at him, then swaggers a little.

ARES:
     Money, huh? Funny thing--I never really needed it before.

CAPTAIN (scoffs):
     Yeah? Getting by on your good looks up until now?

ARES (scowls):
     Listen, I'm sure you'd love to listen to the story of my life, but let's make this short. (He unbuckles one of his gauntlets, looks it over with some regret, then thrusts it at the captain) This is worth way more than a hundred dinars.

CAPTAIN (eyes the gauntlet greedily):
     I don't have change.

ARES:
     Fine. Just take the damn thing.

The captain snatches the gauntlet and looks it over with a chuckle, then looks up at Ares.

CAPTAIN:
     What's your business in Jerusalem, anyway? You know about the siege, right? The place is crawling with Romans. (He clucks his tongue and shakes his head in dismay) Fighting, pillaging, crucifixions... Not exactly a nice tourist spot.

ARES (with a bitter half-grin):
     Just like it said in the brochure.

CUT TO

A wooded glade. Afternoon. John along with Eleazar and another one of John's lieutenants approach Xena, who has her back to them and is speaking in hushed tones with two other men.

John and his crew can't make out who the two other men are because Xena's obstructing their view. When they're about a foot away from Xena, she turns to face them and they can now see that Xena is there with Bar-Giora and Dov, Bar-Giora's second-in-command.

John looks furious. Bar-Giora and his friend, showing no surprise at seeing John and his lot. Xena remains as stoic as ever.

JOHN:
     Is this a joke?

XENA:
     Believe me, I don't like this any more than you do. But if we're to have even a chance to save the city from the Romans--we need all the help we can get, including him.

Bar-Giora bristles.

BAR-GIORA:
     You think I'm happy to be working with the two of you--a fool and a heathen? But I want to save my city.

JOHN (scoffs):
     By burning it down?

BAR-GIORA (smiles):
     C'mon, John, if I can be big enough to do this, can't you?

Xena eyes John, waiting for his decision.

JOHN:
     At least you were told the truth. I was tricked.

XENA:
     That's only because I knew you'd be too proud to come. Now, all three of us want the same thing: to save Jerusalem. We don't have to be friends to do that, we just have to be able to work together and trust each other.

JOHN:
     I could never trust a man who would defile the temple of his own god.

BAR-GIORA:
     You say defiled, I say saved.

JOHN:
     You--

XENA:
     Enough!

That gets everyone's attention. John and Bar-Giora look at each other, mutual hatred in their eyes. Then John sighs in acceptance.

JOHN (grudgingly):
     All right, we'll work together. (beat) Under her command. (gestures toward Xena)

Now it's Bar-Giora's turn to look as if he's about to explode. Dov's expression mirrors his.

BAR-GIORA:
     That is not going to happen!

Pan to Xena, who remains calm.

JOHN:
     She's the best fighter I've ever seen--and the best strategist.

ELEAZAR:
     He's right. When she helped us keep the Romans from breaking through the gates--

BAR-GIORA (interrupts):
     But she's a foreigner. She has no respect--

JOHN:
     If we have a chance of winning, it will be only under Xena's leadership. She can keep you in check. That's the only way I'm agreeing to this alliance. (He pauses, then speaks emphatically) Temporary alliance.

A brief pause as Bar-Giora weighs his options.

BAR-GIORA (barely suppressing his outrage):
     Have it your way.

John holds out his hand. After a long moment, Bar-Giora extends his and they clasp forearms.

Pan to Xena, who looks on, her expression is not too hopeful.

XENA:
     Let's talk strategy.

DISSOLVE TO

Exterior shot of the Roman campground. We see various Roman soldiers sparring, cooking, and making fires.

Josephus rides up on his horse. He gets off and salutes some soldiers on his way to:

QUICK CUT TO

Titus's tent. Titus and Sabina sit vis-a-vis when Josephus enters. They both look up, clearly interested in what he has to say. Titus is sipping from his wine goblet, which he continues to do throughout the scene.

TITUS:
     Well?

JOSEPHUS:
     They've declined the offer--both of them.

Titus gives Sabina a smug look. She shrugs slightly, her face impassive.

TITUS (to Josephus):
     Leave us.

Josephus bows slightly, then leaves the tent.

SABINA:
     Yes, you told me so. (brief pause) It was worth a shot.

She holds his gaze steadily.

TITUS:
     Well, I followed your advice. Now we do it my way. Imagine the look on my father's face when I lead Xena and Gabrielle in a triumphal procession along with the leaders of the Israelites.

SABINA:
     You'll have to capture them first.

TITUS:
     That's not going to be an issue.

Sabina smirks.

TITUS:
     If you've got something to say, say it.

SABINA:
     Don't forget--I've fought not only against Xena and Gabrielle, but beside them as well. And if you think capturing them will not be an issue--prepare to be unpleasantly surprised.

TITUS:
     Except--I'm not you.

SABINA:
     You're very right about that.

TITUS (chuckles):
     I'll get them, you'll see.

SABINA:
     How do you even know Vespasian wants that? It wasn't long ago that he wanted to make Xena and Gabrielle honorary Roman citizens for helping the Moesia colony.

TITUS:
     They might have been allies then. Now, they're back to being enemies of Rome.

SABINA (mockingly):
     Well, then--let's just hope Daddy sees it your way.

Titus ignores her and goes for his wine goblet. It's empty.

TITUS:
     If I had known sieges were so boring, I'd have brought more wine. (He leans back lazily) And slave girls.

SABINA:
     Don't worry--it won't be boring for long.

Titus narrows his eyes at her.

TITUS:
     And why is that?

SABINA:
     Because Xena's inside those walls. That means she's working on a plan.

Titus gives her a skeptical look.

TITUS:
     We'll be ready for her.

SABINA:
     A lot of people have said that. And where are they now?

Titus scowls at her.

TITUS:
     I said we'll be ready.

Sabina gives him a mocking look as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO